A man who grew cannabis at his home told a court: "I'm not very good at it, am I?"

Neil Hallam also apologised to a friend who sat beside him in court as they admitted producing cannabis.

He told city magistrates he regretted asking for help in growing ten plants on March 12 last year.

Hallam, 30, said: "We have not been close since this happened."

Turning to 24-year-old Dale Bailey, he said: "Sorry for getting you involved in it."

The JPs imposed a one-year conditional discharge on the pair. Hallam also pleaded guilty to having cannabis and was fined £84.

The court heard the plants were found at Hallam's former home in Greenwood Avenue after police officers stopped a car driven by Bailey, of Amesbury Circus, Broxtowe. Cannabis was found under the driver's seat.

Hallam said it was his idea to produce cannabis and told the court: "I did it out of curiosity. I never knew whether it would work.

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"Dale used to come round to play XBox and have a cup of tea. I questioned whether he could help me sort it out.

"It was literally the same day when I was arrested for production of cannabis. I am not very good at it, am I?" said Hallam, now of Mafeking Street, Sneinton.

When asked about the offence, Bailey told the magistrates: "Sorry. Basically, sorry."

Joanne Gough, prosecuting, said ten plants and growing equipment was found at the house after the car had been searched.

"Hallam suggested they would have five plants each when they yielded a crop. When asked about Bailey, he said he was giving him a hand with it," added Miss Gough.

The magistrates ordered the destruction of the drugs and the equipment intended to aid their growth. The pair must each pay £85 prosecution costs with Hallam ordered to pay a £30 government surcharge and Bailey £20.

Presiding magistrate Marjorie Stolarska, who sat with two other JPs, told the pair: "Hopefully we will not see you again."